Memorial Service Honors Chicago Nurse Killed In Drive-by Shooting

CHICAGO — Every day, a nurse walks into a hospital room and touches a patient’s life in a special way. While we may not know the nurse’s name, the memory of their kindness lasts a lifetime. The late Frank Aguilar, a 2018 graduate of Saint Xavier University’s nursing program, was such a nurse.

A memorial service honoring Aguilar’s legacy of helping others will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 1, which would have been Aguilar’s 35th birthday, in McDonough Chapel on the SXU campus, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.

Aguilar was slain in a drive-by shooting in November 2019. He will be recognized at the memorial service organized by the Chicagoland Nurse Honor Guard, founded in the late nurse’s honor.

The Honor Guard will recite the nurse’s prayer and the Nightingale Pledge and will retire Aguilar’s nursing license. The Rev. Sebastian Szerborwski will lead a blessing, and a plaque with Aguilar's photo will be unveiled.

“Having this service at Saint Xavier is meaningful to us in a multitude of ways. We are a strong Catholic family, and the university’s heritage and mission resonates with and comforts us,” said Sharee Roman, Aguilar’s sister. “There is no better day than his birthday, April 1, to celebrate his life and inspire other nursing students to continue his legacy.”

Community members are invited to attend the service.